Weekly Wisdom

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The Saturday Update

Another mad week here.

Work was all about exams this week. Year ten had their written final exams and I had to fit some exams in with my own classes before the end of the school year so lots of marking to do now.

The weather has been glorious so lots of time in the garden. Nico has been planting and building like crazy so we are nearly ready for a certain birthday this week.

I've been reading lots again and got one project done with my planter but need to get going with the knitting and sewing again.

Pete has been hunting birds again, spending nights outside, collecting tics and generally keeping us on our toes.

Today we are heading up to the farm for Nico's grandad's birthday and then we're getting ready for Dad's visit. Can't wait!

Freibad!

One thing I love about German culture at this time of year is the Freibad - or outdoor pool.

There are more outdoor pools than indoor ones in our area and today, with temperatures in the high twenties, I met my friend there for a little picnic with our babies.

In England, we would have maybe gone to the park or sat in the garden. I only know of one outdoor pool and that was in another county! Here, we had a ten minute drive.

At our local pool there are four pools - paddling, children, normal and diving, plus lots of space to sit with a picnic. I paid 3.20 (euros) and Isabella was free.

The water was a little cold at first but ones we splashed a bit, everyone had fun. Even though the place was packed, we had plenty of space.

It was fun and relaxing but I would recommend going with more adults than walking babies because chasing Isabella was exhausting at times. She's so social she wanted to play with all the kids in all the families.

While the weather stays this way, we'll try to go every week.

Links!

Some interesting posts I've read lately:

A future craft project?

Some good instagram suggestions here.

Looking for a new outlook?

A print for us book lovers.

A new recipe to try.

That good karma is still on the go.

Wrapping up this and this for Isabella's birthday this week.

Love Tilly's new pattern.

Under the Sea

So excited that Isabella already likes my favourite Disney film.

She's very musical and loves to dance so lately I've been playing some Disney classics to entertain her.

She goes crazy for Sebastian the crab too! So cute!

The Shooting Festival

Saturday was the annual shooting festival in Nico's home village of Zahrensen. As his uncle was crowned shooting king last year, he held a lunch before the festival and we were invited.

Luckily the weather played along and we ate a lovely lunch with family and friends. Some were other shooting club members who helped to host the lunch.

All of the club members, including Nico's parents, brother and grandparents, wore a uniform - black trousers, white shirt and green ties and blazers with badges to mark various past competitions or achievements.

After lunch, a marching band with other club members arrived. They stayed for a few drinks before marching back to the club for coffee and cake. There was also a bouncy castle for kids.

I was quite surprised at the range of ages of members. Sometimes there were three generations of a family present. I find that really reassuring in this day and age where many traditions seem to be disappearing.

Here, many towns and villages have shooting festivals. Leeste's is this weekend.

Once Isabella got used to her new surroundings, she was off entertaining and charming family and strangers alike. She loved the bouncy castle.

Make It Monday - Rope Plant Hanger

I've been obsessing over this tutorial for ages and now that we have our own place and summer is here, I finally found an opportunity to make my own.

The steps are really well explained and easy to follow. You don't get the full effect until it is hung up but then I think it looks great!

I'm glad I went with white rope. It's clean and looks nice with the terracotta.

Can't wait to get a plant in there now.